A WORKER paid by the town council could take on pothole repair duties on some local roads next year.

He or she would take on responsibility for roads designated by the town council, still to be earmarked.

But some town councillors are worried about public liability, if someone is injured as a result of a repair.

The town council has agreed in principle to launch a basic "lengthsman" scheme, which would draw in £4500 funding from Herefordshire Council to pay for the worker.

But Cllr Keith Francis, speaking at a recent meeting, was worried that the scheme could leave the town council wide open for legal claims.

At present, such claims, such as damage to car wheels, or ankles, caused by potholes, are the responsibility of Herefordshire Council, the highways authority.

Cllr Francis said: "The suggestion is we take on pothole responsibility, - does the town council then take on the responsibility for those potholes, if someone gets injured? Would we be liable?"

Cllr Chris Ridler asked whether the contractor would have "third party liability" to meet any claims.

He said: "If it goes pear shaped, it would be down to him."

Cllr Ridler spoke in support of the basic lengthsman scheme, to repair local potholes and maintain local verges, gutters and drains.

"We need to stick a toe in the water," he said.

Several councillors were concerned that the scheme could lead the town council having to raise its precept.

But deputy mayor, Rob Yeoman said that the town council should only spend the money it will get from Herefordshire Council.

He said: "When we hit the limit of £4500, we will stop at that point, and the year after we will be wiser."

When the money runs out, repair duties for the designated roads will pass again to Herefordshire Council's contractor, Balfour Beattie.

Ledbury's mayor, Cllr Bob Barnes said there was a local need for a basic lengthsman scheme, for basic local road maintenance.

He said: "I can identify half a dozen roads that need their gutters or their drains cleared out, and it is just not happening at the moment.

"We have enough work to keep a lengthsman busy."